Stony Brook vs. Villanova at LaValle, Part II
 
The last time that Stony Brook hosted a football game featuring two teams ranked in the top 20 was November 24, 2012.
 
Coming off of a 9-2 regular season, your Seawolves were ranked No. 11 heading into their first-round playoff game at LaValle Stadium against No. 18 Villanova. Led by an outstanding performance from Miguel Maysonet, who ran for 160 yards and two touchdowns, Stony Brook earned a hard-fought 20-10 victory.
 
Villanova has not been back to LaValle since. That will change on Saturday when the Wildcats come to Long Island for a 6 p.m. kickoff and, as was the case in 2012, both teams are ranked in the top 20.
 
Needless to say it's a huge game.
 
Last Friday in advance of the Richmond game, Chuck Priore talked to his team about the importance of protecting our home turf. While that might sound obvious, consider this: in the five-plus years (2013 to present) that we have played in the CAA our home record against conference opponents is 11-10. New Hampshire, which has made it to the FCS playoffs in 14 consecutive seasons, is 18-2 when facing CAA teams at home during that five-year span.
 
Success on the road is also vital. As Chuck reminded his team last week, we were 4-0 on the road in league games in 2017 while our CAA road record over the last five years is 11-9. We will have a chance to build on that a week from Saturday when we travel to Towson. 
 
For now our focus is squarely on Villanova, which comes to town with a No. 13 ranking and a strong win over Temple under its belt. We are ranked No. 18 after convincing wins over Bryant, Fordham and Richmond.
 
It's the first top 20 matchup at LaValle since the same two teams met six years ago, and we need a loud home field advantage. There was great energy in the stadium last week but, like our team, we must build from one game to the next. Get your tickets now and join us for what will be an outstanding football game between two quality programs.
 
Together we are building something special. Let's keep it going on Saturday!
 
Enhancing the Game Day Experience at LaValle Stadium
 
It is no secret that attendance at athletic events is down across the country.
 
According to an article that appeared in the Wall Street Journal on August 30, "College football has an attendance problem. Average announced attendance in football's top division (FBS) dropped for the fourth consecutive year last year, declining 7.6% in four years." That figure is higher, according to the article, as "teams in the nation's five richest conferences routinely record thousands fewer people passing through stadium gates than they report publicly."
 
As a result schools are focused on enhancing the game day experience to encourage greater attendance. If you have been to a football game at Stony Brook this year, you are seeing it in action.
 
Two years ago, the north end zone area was empty during games. A tarp covered the large expanse of dirt that connected the east and west sides of the stadium.
 
Today it is a vastly different picture. The end zone section was filled with 2000 seats and a new restroom and concessions building was also built. The addition of the Blue Point Beer Garden and Wolfie's Kid Zone plus the installation of our Touchdown Club Pavilion have transformed the area. We are definitely seeing the positive financial impact but, when I looked out at the area during the Richmond game, I realized that we are creating an event.
 
Our staff is working hard to deliver the best game day experience possible. Not everything that we try is going to work, but I am extremely pleased with what I have seen thus far. Hopefully you are as well.
 
Soccer is Strong!
 
One of our goals is to win the America East Commissioner's Cup, which has been won by Albany for six straight years. We have finished second in each of those years and I would like to end that streak.
 
If we want to win it, we have to beat Albany. This year we are celebrating with a staff breakfast each time we defeat the Great Danes in any sport. Our first breakfast came courtesy of men's soccer following their 2-1 win at Albany last Friday. Women's soccer gets their shot tonight at 7 p.m.
 
I'm hoping for some more bagels tomorrow!
 
It has been a great start for our soccer teams, and you can watch them this weekend at LaValle. The men are in action against UMass Lowell tomorrow night at 7 p.m. and the women will host Vermont on Sunday at 1 p.m. Get your tickets now.
 
Keep believing!
 
Warm regards,
 


Shawn